UNOFFICIAL COPY AS OF 11/21/1812 REG. SESS.12 RS SB 38/HCS 1
AN ACT relating to career pathways, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1. KRS 158.812 is amended to read as follows:
(1)It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide rigorous academic and career and technical education programs that are relevant for all students and that encourage at-risk students to graduate from high school prepared to enter postsecondary education institutions or the workforce with needed skills.
(2)The purposes of elementary and secondary education programs of career and technical education are to:
(a)Provide students opportunities to understand the relevance of and master[increase] academic skills in mathematics, science, English, reading, and communications as well as technical literacy in broad-based career fields[work-based settings];
(b)Provide students a variety of opportunities to master the usage of technology;
(c)Prepare individuals with specialized, transferable academic skills and technical skills for gainful employment[ in entry-level positions] in broad-based career fields; and
(d)Assist individuals in making[the process of preparing for] successful transitions across grade levels[transition] from school to work,[ or] to postsecondary education, or to the military.
(3)[(2)]The General Assembly acknowledges that:
(a)Rigorous, relevant, and high-quality career and technical education offers students an opportunity to develop skills in mathematics, science, spoken and written communications[ communication], problem-solving, and technology, and in career and technical areas that are essential to meet the goals for Kentucky education as described in KRS 158.6451 and that[to] help students achieve the capacities required of all students as[and] defined in KRS 158.645;
(b)Students need access to career pathway programs that meet high standards,[ and] connect technical skills with core academic requirements for high school students, and align with postsecondary education requirements and business and industry needs;
(c)Students can accelerate their overall scholastic achievement when given an opportunity to learn in an integrated school- and work-based environment;[ and]
(d)Students are more likely to stay in school when they are making academic progress and see relevance to what they are learning; and
(e)The General Assembly has a responsibility to provide the resources that recognize the increased costs for offering high-quality, relevant career and technical education programs.
Section 2. KRS 158.810 is amended to read as follows:
For purposes of KRS 158.810 to 158.816:
(1)"Advanced manufacturing" means manufacturing that uses technology and knowledge-based processes that leverage human, intellectual, and financial capital to create globally competitive products;
(2)"At-risk" means a student who is academically unprepared, has inadequate academic preparation for the next educational level, or who is in danger of dropping out of school;
(3)"Career academy" means a small learning community within a larger high school that:
(a)Consists of a heterogeneous group of students taking classes together for at least two (2) years, who are taught by a team of teachers from different disciplines;
(b)Provides a college-preparatory academic curriculum based on a career theme that helps students see relationships and connections between academic subjects and their applications in specific career pathways and in broad career areas such as health science, business, pre-engineering, technology, agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing; and
(c)Provides opportunities through partnerships with employers, colleges, and the community for students to engage in internships and work-based learning with adult mentors to motivate students to achieve;
(4)"Career and technical education"[ or "secondary vocational education" or "secondary vocational study"] means a program of study that leads to the development of academic and specialized occupational skills in career fields;
(5)"Career guidance coach" means a counselor who is assigned one hundred percent (100%) of his or her time to:
(a)The development of students', teachers', and parents' understanding of broad career themes and opportunities through career pathways;
(b)Academic advising and career counseling; and
(c)Assisting students in the development of individual learning plans;
(6)"Career pathway" means a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career-related courses, commencing in ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, an industry-recognized certificate or license, or a baccalaureate or higher degree. A career pathway is developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among secondary and postsecondary education institutions, businesses, and employers. Career pathways are available to all students, including adult learners, and are designed to lead to rewarding careers;
(7)"Career pathway program of study" means a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career and technical education courses, including dual credit opportunities, that prepares secondary students for postsecondary study leading to postsecondary degrees, industry certifications, or licensure;
(8)"Evidence-based instructional model" or "evidence-based model" means the application of valid and relevant knowledge to education activities and programs, which are based on the findings from systematic and empirical methods, including observations, experiments, and rigorous data analyses;
(9)"Industry certification" means certification that is awarded to a student who has passed a standardized, valid, industry-based examination that measures the knowledge and skills recognized nationally by employers or by an industry group or association within Kentucky as representing the level of proficiency that is needed to enter a specific field;
(10)[(2)]"Technical literacy" means a student's ability to read and comprehend the language of a field of study, understand the major technical concepts of that field, and apply the appropriate mathematics concepts to typical problems encountered in the workplace;
(11)[(3)]"Secondary area technology center" or "secondary area center" means a school facility dedicated to the primary purpose of offering five (5) or more technical preparation programs that lead to skill development focused on specific occupational areas. An area center may be called a "magnet technology center" or "career center" or may be assigned another working title by the parent agency. An area center may be either state or locally operated; and
(12)[(4)]"Career and technical education[Vocational] department" means a portion of a school facility that has five (5) or more technical preparation programs that lead to skill development focused on specific occupational areas.
SECTION 3. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 156 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1)Prior to the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, the department shall assist districts in the analyses of assessment data to identify students who are academically behind, who have higher than normal absentee rates, or who have a record of discipline problems at the end of grade six (6), grade eight (8), grade nine (9), grade ten (10), and grade eleven (11).
(2)The department shall develop accelerated courses in English, reading, and mathematics to be offered to students in grade six (6), grade nine (9), grade ten (10), grade eleven (11), and grade twelve (12) who are academically behind to help them meet the college and career-readiness standards.
SECTION 4. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 158 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1)If funds are appropriated for the purposes of funding evidence-based instructional models or if internal state or federal funds are available, the Kentucky Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Career and Technical Education in the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Education Professional Standards Board, and other appropriate educational entities, shall recommend evidence-based models for addressing the needs of at-risk students.
(2)The evidence-based models shall include a variety of programs and curricula proven to be effective for at-risk students, and shall focus on:
(a)Identification of students at risk for inadequate academic preparation for the next grade level or at risk for dropping out of school;
(b)Reduction in the number of students repeating a grade in school;
(c)Reduction of high school failure rates;
(d)Improvement of student performance through grade-level standards in reading and mathematics;
(e)Assistance to students and their parents or legal guardians in identifying students' career and educational goals, developing individual learning plans, and the appropriate programs of study to achieve these goals; and
(f)Assistance to dropouts in obtaining a General Education Development (GED) diploma or to adults in obtaining a recognized postsecondary education credential that has value in the workplace.
(3)The evidence-based models shall include the following components designed to facilitate more students having a successful start in high school and successfully completing grade nine (9) requirements:
(a)The use of flexible scheduling as appropriate to increase students' time in the study of core language arts and mathematics;
(b)The assignment of the most effective teachers as leaders for instructional teams in grade nine (9) to improve instructional planning, delivery of instruction, and the use of reteaching strategies;
(c)The assignment of mentors to teach students study skills and habits necessary to become independent learners and, when possible, the use of career guidance coaches to advise students; and
(d)Career courses, including career exploration, in grade nine (9) to incorporate project-based instruction that requires the application of grade nine (9) level reading, mathematics, and science skills and that uses a wide variety of technology.
(4)(a)If state or federal funds are available, all career and technical education teachers who teach high school students shall receive training in how to embed reading, mathematics, and science knowledge and skills in specific career and technical education courses.
(b)Training required under paragraph (a) of this subsection may be provided by local school districts or postsecondary education institutions, including community and technical colleges, and outside providers that have a record of working effectively with schools in redesigning the ninth grade.
(5)The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations in collaboration with the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to ensure that career and technical education courses incorporate sufficient academic content to produce high levels of student achievement as measured by state assessments.
(6)The evidence-based models shall be incorporated into career and technical education programs, career academies, and career pathway programs of study developed under Section 5 of this Act.
SECTION 5. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 157 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1)For purposes of this section:
(a)"Career academy" means a small learning community within a larger high school that:
1.Consists of a heterogeneous group of students taking classes together for at least two (2) years, who are taught by a team of teachers from different disciplines;
2.Provides a college-preparatory academic curriculum based on a career theme that helps students see relationships and connections between academic subjects and their applications in specific career pathways and in broad career areas such as health science, business, pre-engineering, technology, agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing; and
3.Provides opportunities through partnerships with employers, colleges and the community for students to engage in internships and work-based learning with adult mentors to motivate students to achieve;
(b)"Career guidance coach" means a counselor who is assigned one hundred percent (100%) of his or her time to:
1.The development of students', teachers', and parents' understanding of broad career themes and opportunities through career pathways;
2.Academic advising and career counseling; and
3.Assisting students in the development of individual learning plans;
(c)"Career pathway" means a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career-related courses, commencing in ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, an industry-recognized certificate or license, or a baccalaureate or higher degree. A career pathway is developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among secondary and postsecondary education institutions, businesses, and employers. Career pathways are available to all students, including adult learners, and are designed to lead to rewarding careers; and
(d)"Career pathway program of study" means a coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career and technical education courses, including dual credit opportunities, that prepares secondary students for postsecondary study leading to postsecondary degrees, industry certifications, or licensure.
(2)If funds are available from grants, federal funds, contributions, appropriations, or other moneys, the Kentucky Department of Education shall provide grants to be used for:
(a)The development of career pathways and programs of study for students in middle schools and high schools in industry-identified high-demand occupational fields; and
(b)The establishment of career academies in secondary schools. Each career academy shall employ general education faculty who teach the academic core content and career and technical education faculty who focus the majority of the content around a broad career area and when possible, employ career guidance coaches to advise students. Career academies shall provide students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and simultaneously earn postsecondary education credit. They shall also provide opportunities to earn industry certification in high-demand fields, including biotechnology, environmental sustainability, agriculture, health, engineering, information technology, and other emerging career areas.
(3)The grants may be used within a high school facility, career and technical education center, or in an area technology center.
(4)The programs may, based on written policies of the educational institution in consultation with and approval of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, serve dropouts who wish to earn a General Education Development (GED) diploma or adults who wish to pursue initial study in a career and technical education field.
(5)Funds shall be distributed on a matching basis as funds are available through a grant program to eligible schools upon meeting eligibility requirements established pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.
(6)Financial gifts and in-kind contributions from any business or industry, a community college, or other entity may be accepted to meet the matching requirements based on criteria established by the Kentucky Board of Education.
(7)Pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A, the Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations that specify the:
(a)Eligibility requirements for participation in the grant program, including but not limited to graduation rates, as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the National Center for Education Statistics;
(b)Matching requirements;
(c)Application and review process;
(d)Accountability and data requirements for grant recipients;
(e)Procedures for the reallocation of any unused fund balance;
(f)Grant continuation requirements; and
(g)Other components essential to the implementation of this section.
(8)Schools receiving grants shall have an active local advisory council comprised of industry leaders and employers and postsecondary education faculty to provide input on long-range goals for career and technical education.
(9)Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school that has begun the implementation of a career pathway or a career academy prior to the effective date of this Act from qualifying for funds under this section.
Section 6. KRS 158.814 is amended to read as follows:
(1)In order to ensure that high-quality, relevant secondary career and technical programs are available to students in all school districts that enable them to gain the academic and technical skills to meet high school graduation requirements and for successful transition to postsecondary education, work, or the military and to support present-day and future needs of Kentucky employers, the[ Kentucky] Department of Education[ and the Office of Career and Technical Education] shall[ jointly implement a comprehensive plan between July 1, 2001, and January 1, 2004, to]:
(a)Review and revise as needed the equipment and facilities standards for each career and technical education program identified and described in the career and technical education supplement to the Kentucky program of studies and published by the[ Kentucky] Department of Education; and
(b)Determine the statewide unmet needs for career and technical education capital projects, including renovations and expansions of existing facilities and the construction of new technology centers, through[Establish] a needs assessment process. This process shall be tied to specific criteria[ for assisting all providers of programs] in determining if the current programs or career pathways offered in locally and state-operated[their respective] facilities are appropriate for the students in the school districts served as well as for determining if new programs are needed. The statewide assessment of capital needs for career and technical education shall be incorporated into the local school district facility plan as required by KRS 157.420. The Kentucky Board of Education shall incorporate criteria within the administrative regulations relating to school facility plan requirements to prioritize need for career and technical education programming, regardless of whether the programs are locally or state-operated.
(2)Representatives from local school districts, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, the Office of Career and Technical Education in the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the Division of Career and Technical Education in the Kentucky Department of Education, business and industry, colleges, universities, and other appropriate agencies shall be consulted in carrying out the requirements of this section.
Section 7. KRS 158.816 is amended to read as follows:
(1)The[ Kentucky] Department of Education in the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet[ and the Office of Career and Technical Education], with involvement of representatives from the local school districts and teacher preparation institutions, shall[ jointly] complete an annual statewide analysis and report of academic achievement of technical education students who have completed or are enrolled in a sequence of a technical program of at least three (3) high school credits.
(2)(a)The analysis shall include the previous year's results from the state assessment program described in KRS 158.6453. The data shall be disaggregated for all high school students by career cluster areas of agriculture, business and marketing, human services, health services, transportation, construction, communication, and manufacturing and by special populations. Where available, disaggregated data from other national assessments shall also be used.